Northern Territory Police have arrested four people in relation to a violent assault that left a 30-year-old man in a critical condition.
Just before 1:30pm on Monday 14 September 2026, police received multiple reports of a disturbance near the intersection of Progress Drive and Phoenix Street in Nightcliff.
It is alleged up to 30 people exited a bus before a number of them became involved in fighting nearby. Several people were allegedly armed with weapons, including poles, rocks and axes.
During the disturbance, the 30-year-old Wadeye man was allegedly knocked to the ground and repeatedly assaulted by multiple people.
Police and St John Ambulance attended and provided urgent medical assistance before the man was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital.
He underwent emergency surgery and remains in a critical condition with skull and orbital fractures, facial lacerations and significant injuries to both legs.
On Tuesday, detectives arrested a 17-year-old Wadeye girl. She was charged with acts intended to cause serious harm and remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on 23 September 2026.
Police have since arrested three Wadeye men, aged 21, 29 and 43, with assistance from local police.
The men remain in custody and are expected to be charged with offences including acts intended to cause serious harm.
Detective Senior Sergeant Trent Abbott APM from Serious Crime said police believed those involved were known to one another.
“The level of violence displayed during this incident was appalling and could easily have resulted in innocent bystanders being seriously injured.
“Investigators are working to identify every person who participated in the assault. Those responsible should expect police to locate them, arrest them and place them before the courts.”
Investigations remain ongoing, with police continuing efforts to identify and locate additional alleged offenders.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage from the Progress Drive and Phoenix Street area between 1pm and 2pm, is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference NTP2600089113.
Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
